Traces of ancient virus found in human genome

Published : 2012-04-25 15:24
Updated : 2012-04-25 15:54

Much of the human genome is yet to be understood. Only 1.5 percent of the genetic material in our cells is coded for human life. Half of the rest is “junk DNA” with no known function, while the other half consists of genes from viruses and other parasites.

A recent study attempting to explore this so-called “dark matter” in our genome has revealed that ancient viruses from around 100 million years ago invaded the genomes of 38 mammals including humans, mice, rats, elephants and dolphins.

The study concluded that the viruses have lost a gene, Env, which allows them to move between different host species. These endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) have instead committed to one genome and spread up to 30 times more abundantly within it.

Although there are no direct health effects that can be linked to ERVs at this stage, they could prove effective in fighting disease if detected in cancer or infection, explains Dr Robert Belshaw from Oxford University‘s Zoology Department, senior author of the study.